To my mind, Hebrews is one of the key books of the Bible. Like Paul’s letter to
the Romans,
it ties together and gives context to other scripture.
The audience and authorship of this book are not made clear as is
typical of most New Testament
epistles. Based on the subject and the many references
to Old
Testament scripture, it is clearly direct to an audience of Jewish Christians. Early church leaders
and scholars often attributed it to Paul.
Paul’s commission as apostle to the Gentiles might
suggest another author, but Paul’s passion for his native people and thorough education
in the Hebrew
Scriptures point toward him as a likely author.
I find three major themes in Hebrews.
These are: the centrality of Christ and his
fulfillment of the Mosaic
covenant,
how faith was
central to salvation
even before the Mosaic
Law, and encouragement in Christian living.
CENTRALITY OF CHRIST
The first section of Hebrews focuses on Jesus Christ. It makes the case for the divinity of Christ
and His complete humanity in the incarnation. As a perfect man, Jesus Christ fulfilled
every requirement of the Mosaic Law. This
made him the perfect sacrifice for the sins of man. In addition, because he is divine and
eternal, his atoning sacrifice is likewise eternal.
This is not the only role Jesus Christ fills eternally. He is the first and highest of mankind and
exercises the dominion over creation God gave to man, but
that we forfeited when we sinned (as God, He is lord of all also). As the son of God, Christ had priority over Moses, even though
as a man He submitted Himself to the law in loving
obedience to the Father. Christ is a priest of a
higher order than the Levitical priesthood,
namely a priest like Melchidezek
to whom Abraham
paid tithes and through him all his descendants including the Hebrew priests.
The law and sacrifices of earlier times were signs pointed to the
Christ to come. All of these things are
fulfilled and completed in Him forever.
Where many sacrifices were made to temporarily cover ever mounting sins,
Christ’s sacrifice suffices forever to remove all of our sins. Where the priests entered the presence of God
once a year, Christ is constantly in the presence of God making intercession
for His people.
CENTRALITY OF FAITH
If Christ does all for our salvation and when no longer need to make
sacrifices and observe the Mosaic Law, how do we realize this reconciliation
through Christ and live morally? The
answer is faith in Christ. Hebrews makes
the argument that the answer has always
been faith in God.
Hebrews makes the argument, drawing on many examples from the Old Testament,
that God has forgiven the sins of and imputed righteousness to those who had
faith in Him. This predates Abraham,
though for an audience of his descendants it is important in Abraham. It predates Moses, though for an audience
born into a religion
base on Mosaic Law it is important in Moses.
Even after the law was given, it is faith that God rewarded because no
one could live up to God’s perfect law.
The faithful people of the Old Testament looked forward by faith to a
day when God would cleanse their sins, make them righteous, and completely
restore their relationship to him. Even
in the time of the law, the sacrifices and observances were signs of the things
God was going to do. God’s provision for
the cleansing of sin and the raising us to righteousness were completed in
Christ, so we place our faith in Him.
They had faith what was to come, even if they didn’t fully understand
it, and we have faith in what Christ has accomplished.
CHRISTIAN LIVING
To wrap up, Hebrews includes encouragement for the faithful. We’ll face troubles just as those in the Old
Testament did, but by faith we can overcome and see the day when God will make
us perfect and bring us into His eternal kingdom. In the meantime, the temporary troubles of
this world are opportunities to imitate Christ and become more like Him, more
holy in practice. God is working through
these troubles to help and purify us.
As a result of Christ’s work in us, we should love one
another. This should be practical love,
taking care of each other’s needs. Instead of trying to live up to a law our
sinful nature wars against, we put our faith in Christ and walk in humility and
love.
If you’re interested in this book, you may be interested in the Old
Testament, especially Genesis, Exodus, Joshua, Judges, Second Samuel,
First and
Second Kings,
Second
Chronicles, Jeremiah,
and Daniel. You may also be interested in other New
Testament books, particularly the Pauline
Letters and especially Romans.
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